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Microsoft has tried to put “active” items on the Windows desktop for nearly

a decade. Finally, with Vista’s Sidebar success seems within grasp. Stability problems that dogged previous versions aren’t as readily apparent — which is to say, Sidebar doesn’t crash nearly as often as, say, Active Desktop in Windows XP — and the items it offers actually help.

The items in the Sidebar, termed Gadgets, can interact with you, with Windows,

with files and folders, with your network, and with other Gadgets. Vista ships with a handful of moderately interesting Gadgets — a clock (you can put more than one clock on your desktop, each set to a different time zone).

Many other features — Put Vista head and shoulders above XP. The standout features include the following:

Improved backup (although no backup exists in the Home Basic Edition).
Photo management (via Photo Gallery, not in Home Basic).
Second monitor support
Easy wireless networking.
Vista also helps you burn DVDs, but watch out for the digital rights

Microsoft Windows Vista provides several accessories for Tablet PCs, including Input Panel, Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes, and Windows Journal. All of these accessories use Tablet PC pens, which improve accessibility by making it easier to work with computers. Additionally, people who might not be able to use a computer keyboard and mouse might be able to use a Tablet PC pen as an alternative input device.

As in earlier versions of Microsoft Windows, Windows Vista includes many other features that improve accessibility, including the Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and High Contrast functions and the Narrator, Magnifier, and On-Screen Keyboard utilities. In Windows Vista, these features have all been enhanced, and most have completely redesigned interfaces. Windows Vista also includes speech recognition software. Using speech recognition, you can dictate documents and e-mail messages, and you can use your voice to control programs and browse the Web.

Tags: Windows Sidebar, Windows Vista Sidebar, Vista Gadgets, Windows Vista, Vista, Microsoft Windows vista features

Cars are often considered as extensions of our personality, they’re also many people’s pride and joy.  It’s no wonder then that these days there is a growing market for car customisation, from external modifications like shiny alloy wheels to internal luxuries such as aftermarket sound systems.  A lot of these luxuries now come as options you can add to the car when purchasing, such as sports kits or integrated satellite navigation.

For those looking for the ultimate in car cool, there are a number of gadgets that can make your car really stand out, here is a list of seven interesting ideas:

1.  Ring Car 2 Car
When you have a flat battery in the past you’d need to use jumper cables which can be dangerous and if not applied correctly can potentially damage your car.  The Car 2 Car cable works in a similar fashion but uses the cigar lighter socket in both cars, within a few minutes you’ll be back on the road!

2.  Metro 4 Way Socket
Sticking with cigar lighter gadgets it seems everything these days can connect to your car via this outlet and sometime one socket is not enough if you’ve got Sat-Navs, mobile phones and other gadgets to get juiced up.  This hub plugs into your cigar lighter and gives you four sockets as well as a number of USB ports for charging iPods and other MP3 players.

3.  Trafficmaster SmartNav Mobile
A lot of mobile phones have started adding GPS and Sat-Nav functionality to their list of abilities. This can be a bit hit and miss but with SmartNav Mobile you get the functionality of one of the best standalone Sat-Navs in your phone (currently Windows Mobile, soon to include Nokia S60 and Blackberry phones).  The best feature though has to be the ability to call up a “Personal Assistant” to plan your route and help avoid traffic.

4.  Printstik
For many workers their car is also their office, or they may just be on the go all the time.  There’s nothing worse than remembering you’ve forgotten to print that important document out just as you arrive at your meeting.  The Printstik is tiny and almost looks like a laptop battery, it uses similar printing processes as a till receipt printer and lasts for around 30 pages off a full charge.

5.  Perfect Palm pads
These two pads help provide a thorough clean to your car on the outside, with the handle being moulded to your hand, hence the name.  One pad is used for polishing and one is a microfiber cloth to leave no streaks or marks after a clean.

6.  Ring Daytime Running Lights
For anyone who saw last summer’s blockbuster Ironman they’ll no doubt recognise the distinctive LED lights on new model Audis like the R8 and A4.  This flexible strip of lighting can let you add this feature to your car and get those iconic lights.

7.  Gear Knob Umbrella
For the ultimate petrol-head there’s this umbrella with a handle styled on a gear knob (6 speed, of course), complete with the wheel nut for the other end of the umbrella.  You never know when the heavens will open and sometimes your parking space just isn’t as close to the building your heading off to as you’d want it to be!

It’s that time of year again when college students pile into cars loaded with suitcases, backpacks and, of course, the requisite mini-fridge and gooseneck desk lamp.

Gadget guy Phil Baker rounds up 14 useful tech products that provide the good value and design needed to spruce up every dorm room.

So check out these gadget recommendations for students …

Logitech’s Rechargeable Speaker S315i – This is one of the most attractive stereo speakers with great sound quality for the price. Plug it in or use its built-in rechargeable batteries for 12 hours of playing away from an outlet. $130; Logitech(dot)com

Pandigital Photo Frame – Not that your kids will ever forget you, but why risk it? Give them a photo frame with family photos already loaded onto it—including one with mom and dad gazing down with a watchful eye. Prices have been plummeting and a decent 7-inch model from Pandigital costs about $50. www.Pandigital.net

FreeAgent Go backup hard drive –This is an inexpensive but durable drive from Seagate (about $80 for 250 GB at discount) that every student should use to back up their files, music and photos. The Free Agent comes with a snap-in dock that lets you easily remove the hard drive and lock it up when not being used. A new back-up drive, the Aegis Padlock, just announced from San Diego’s Apricorn, has a built-in keypad that locks entry to its contents. $120 for a 250GB version; Apricorn(dot)com

Dr. Dre Isolation Headphone – How do you study effectively with distractions all around? Wear over the ear headphones to isolate you from the distractions. One very popular new model is the Studio Isolation Headphone from Dr Dre. It has a stunning industrial design and great sound. $300; beatsbydre(dot)com

Check out Travel Gadgets For Music-Lovers.

Notebook computer – For those who need a powerful notebook, it’s hard to do better than the MacBook Pro 15-inch at $1,700 or the 12-inch model at $1,200. Apple is offering a free iPod Touch for students with the purchase of a new notebook. For PC users, there’s a wide range of very similar models from Dell, HP and Lenovo and Sony. In general, avoid very thin and light models that tend to be less durable under rough handling.

Backpack computer cases – These two models are each designed to hold a 15-inch notebook plus accessories, books and papers. The Brenthaven Expandable Trek BP Laptop Backpack has a huge capacity that’s expandable by 20 percent [brenthaven(dot)com]. For a more discreet backpack with a more mature styling, the InCase Backpack is rectangular-shaped, smaller, but much easier on the back. [goincase(dot)com]. Each is $100.

Kensington ComboSaver notebook lock – This compact locking cable protects a notebook from theft, ideal for working in public spaces like the library or campus center. One end fits into the security slot found on most laptops and the other around a piece of furniture like a table or heavy chair $25.

HP Photosmart C4780 All-in-One Printer – The HP Photosmart C4780 All-in-One is a wireless printer at an affordable price. With a color control panel, memory card slots, and laser-quality text output, several students can print to it without each needing to be connected by a cable. $130; hp(dot)com

Belkin Conserve Power Strip Review – The Conserve power strip with surge protector is an eco-friendly product that saves energy. It has six outlets that can be turned off with a remote switch and two outlets that always remain on. $35; Belkin(dot)com.

Levenger Lap Desk – This beautifully made, kidney-shaped portable lap desk rests across the arms of a chair or sits on the lap while in bed. It supports a computer as well as providing a surface for a mouse, or for reading and writing. $48; Levenger(dot)com.

H2 Handy Recorder from Zoom – This is a serious pocket-sized stereo recorder that’s perfect for recording lectures and music. It has superb fidelity and sensitivity to record clearly from large distances. $150; Samsontech(dot)com

Tekkeon’s TekCharge MP1800 Battery Pack – This pack’s designed for recharging phones, music players, Bluetooth headsets and other devices while away from an outlet. It has a whopping 2600 mAH capacity, about twice the capacity of most phones. It even has a built-in flashlight. $50; Tekkeon(dot)com

iTenna HD Antenna – The iTenna makes it possible to receive HD programming over the air using on a digital TV, making it perfect for a dorm room or apartment. It replaces an outdoor antenna and rabbit ears, and is designed specifically for digital reception. It’s as small and nearly as thin as a sheet of paper and can be taped to a window or onto the back of the TV. $20; Itenna(dot)com

Z-Bar High Power LED Desk lamp – Last but not least, leave behind the old-school goose-necked lamp. LEDs, the newest lighting technology, offer the most efficiency of any lamp and emit much less heat. The Z–Bar is a modern design that offers easy adjustment to put the light where you need it. It uses six ultra-bright LEDs that consume just 9 watts. $130

For more information, visit PeterGreenberg.

GOGGA

Group Opposing Gadget and Gizmo Addiction

Last week I woke up at what seemed to be the middle of the night to the realization that we are all fast becoming slaves to the latest technologies of gadgets, gizmos, thingys (dingesses to some in South Africa) glowing lights in an array of colours, beeps, buzzes and a cacophony of other indescribable sounds.

It was around 5.30am when I was awakened by something that I could not quite place. Was it a noise? Was it a light? Was it a mosquito? No man, it wasn’t Superman either!!!!! It was my wife’s cell phone.

It was switched to silent mode but the vibrate alert was still active. I could see this in the surreal green glow emanating from the digital clock, alarm, tape, radio thingy that is situated on a shelf above the bed.

The phone was dancing across the bedside cupboard like a drunken ballerina, flashing its screen light angrily while vibrating hollowly with the sound being amplified by the near empty cupboard.

You see – we have this very dear friend who is evidently an insomniac, who insists on getting the most out of call more time by sending any messages at the crack of dawn, probably to ensure that we get them before we get too busy answering the calls of nature and all the other alerts.

Now wide awake staring at the ceiling I was suddenly aware that there were numerous flashing lights before my eyes. I felt my forehead to see if I was running a temperature, pinched myself to ensure that I was not dreaming, closed my eyes tightly to see if I could still see these lights and to my astonishment they went away. So I’m not sick I thought. I wondered what was wrong.

The dog moved and the alarm’s passive movement detector’s red light switched on, stayed for a while then switched off. The electric mosquito repellant gizmo glowed owlishly, the multi plug switches glowed red which showed that all the other appliances were switched on (one was blinking. “I must get it fixed”) the TV showed me that it was in power save mode, when suddenly a strident noise pierced the silence to inform me it was time to get up.

Shower time with my pulsating shower head then to brush my teeth with my electric tooth brush, shave with my new wet/dry electric shaver whose red light is flickering to tell me it needs to be charged. I plug in the charger and behold, there is another little red light to add to my collection. Once dressed, I sit in my wheelchair. Now I don’t feel so vulnerable. Bring on the lights and buzzes!!!  I can handle them now.

I switch on the power chair and yes you guessed it. More lights. This time they are red, orange and green. With many clicks and squealing of tyres on the polished floors, the control panel on the chair showing me I’m in 2nd gear, I’m off to the kitchen.

I switch on the stove to make the jungle oats. More red lights glow at me. The timer (in the shape of an egg) rings, the microwave pings, the kettle light goes out and switches off the fridge clicks on and it’s red light shines. Now that I have run the gauntlet of lights and sounds I can have my breakfast.

Now, to get to the lounge I had more alarm passives to get past on the way. In the passage the alarm panel shows that the alarm has been on guard all night. The TV in the lounge with its light showing that power save mode is on, the DVD, MP3, CD, Radio/tape thingy flashes the time, while the computer hums malevolently in the back ground with its numerous lights flashing and the on screen calendar showing my day’s appointments while beeping at regular intervals.

By this time I am too nervous to face “The Car” because it has beeps for reverse, buzzes for lights left on, peeps for open doors and angry beeeeeeps for seatbelts not used. An array of lights in various colours but mostly red or orange that only a person with a B.GizGad degree in gizmos and gadgets, like my son, can decipher.

Hi everyone my name is Roly and I am a gizmoholic and I last bought a gizmo yesterday. I know I need help but the temptation is so great.

There are shelves full of gadgets, gizmos thingys and dingesses in every shop I go to. Please help.

We at GOGGA demand of all manufacturers that indicator lights be abolished and that all appliances and cars be de-bugged or they should pay for our rehabilitation at the Centre for the GizmoChallenged. No more buzzes, beeps, rings, peeps, toots, pings, bongs, tinkles and rattles or flashing lights or little lights that change colour.

I and my fellow gizmoholics’ sanity is at risk. We cannot have our inter-galactic and Martian visitors coming to this country for the 2020 Odd ball world cup where they could be exposed to these little instruments of torture.

To join the group, please see our web site www.GOGGA.org.outerspace or e.mail nutcase@gizmochallenged.org.int or come to visit me. Maybe you can help me get out of this strange jacket that these people insist is the latest fashion.

It holds your arms in the crossed position with sleeves that strap to buckles at the back.

I must end now. The ringing in my ears and flashing lights have started again. I know that they are coming to get me but I won’t succumb I promise.  @#$%^&*&^(%$()#@!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Zune HD may be a new player when it comes to the digital music market but this can compete with what Apple Ipod has to offer. The monopoly of the digital music arena has ended when Microsoft’s Zune came into the open. Zune was released last November 14, 2006 and this media player brain child of Microsoft has gained very good feedback from gadget enthusiasts.

There are a lot of advantages when it comes with the features and functionality of Zune HD when compared with Apple Ipod. The bigger screen size of Zune is about half an inch bigger than the Ipod. Another advantage of the Zune is the WiFi connectivity which allows the users to send off various songs to their contacts and friends.

The Microsoft Zune HD has newer and better which can include preloaded audio and video, landscape video, built in fm tuner and custom background as well as social networking. This is a great addition to the digital music market which incorporated the element of community sharing of music files and other forms of digital media. Just imagine this, the Zune can wirelessly play and share songs, download videos and pictures to other Zunes. With 25,000 pictures and 100 hours of video experience as well as 7,500 songs to listen to, what more can a digital media aficionado can ask for.

Microsoft Zune can have as much as 30GB at a price of 249 USD. The huge storage capacity of this gadget allows the owner to enjoy more of music and videos as well as wider connectivity with others. You will surely have the best experience when you use Zune for your digital audio video experience.

The sleek and sexy design of Microsoft Zune stands out and the wider screen adds much sense of functionality with its design. This gadget is very user friendly and it is very attractive when you compare it to the current design of Apple Ipod. Zune has a touch sensitive pad which reminds the user of a laptop pad. Apple Ipod has found a formable competitor with Zune HD.

If you want to buy a new MP3 player, I strongly recommend Microsoft Zune. This new digital media player was built to possess very user friendly features and easy to navigate from one menu to other. We will see more of this innovative MP3 player since Microsoft will surely splurge into advertising and marketing this product. They will offer new colors and amazing features to dominate the Digital media scene.

In this electronic world, there is a great advancement of the GPDS system. Due to this, the heights of using the spy gadgets have reached very high. People are trying to take full advantage of this as this technology is developed for all the people. Nowadays, due to the advanced technology, people are now able to easily fix the bug of GPS in the car and can track the vehicle anywhere in the country without facing any problems.

Among the spy gadgets like cameras and audio recording devices, the efficiency has been improved with the technology. With the development of the mobile phone cameras and soon after, with the mobile phone video cameras, the production of these small cameras has increased to a great extent as they are very easy to carry and very user-friendly. As these recording devices are very small in size, they are used for secret observation many a times.

Sometimes, the advancement in such spy gadgets creates a great problem. People misuse these devices in recording live audio and video with the help of their mobile phone. The facility is provided in these phones that there is no need to keep the whole mobile phone in front of the people. You can keep it in your pocket and just the lens of your mobile phone camera is placed near a small whole of your pocket which can easily capture the audio as well as video recording. Thus, the spy gadgets developed by the latest technology are sometimes very dangerous.